On January 1, farmers in Pinal County, Arizona lost their last-minute access to the waters of the Colorado River. Severe drought in the western United States is putting a toll on the rivers that millions of people rely on.

People like Jace Miller knew the cut was coming. For generations, his family has farmed in the desert region between Phoenix and Tucson. But last January, the family business took a turn when Mr. Miller lost 60 percent of his river water needed to irrigate hay.

And on the first day of 2023, hundreds of farmers have gathered in Pinal just like him.
The county lost to the last drop.

As a result, Miller and other local farmers become completely dependent on groundwater. He will also cut the number of acres he farms, leaving up to 65% fallow next year.

“Hell, I’ll cut your salary before you let everyone go,” says Miller. Yet all these changes are causing a lot of stress.

Miller’s “beautiful way of life” is now in danger. The federal government has already told her seven states along the river that deeper excavations are needed to keep the river flowing.

And soon, even many farmers like Miller in Arizona and California could see the crisis arriving at their doorstep.